Plastic fantastic Christmas in Ealing

A giant Christmas tree made with 900 recycled plastic bottles was unveiled today (Monday, 2 December) in Ealing – the first of its kind in London.

Built by artist Ashley Phillips and commissioned by Ealing Council, the tree stands six metres tall and is on display outside Ealing Town Hall.

Part of the council’s 50% by 2020 recycling campaign, the Christmas tree has been created to make people think and encourage them to recycle. More waste is produced over the festive period than at any other time of year.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for environment and transport said: “This striking tree not only helps us celebrate Christmas it comes with a green message. Astonishingly the same number of bottles used on the trees is used in the UK every two seconds. We are encouraging residents to take two seconds to recycle.

“The tree is designed to make people think about how much we all consume and how items could be reused. All plastic can be recycled, and is actually a valuable resource used to make all sorts of new products such as fleece jumpers, park benches and children’s playground equipment.

“Christmas is a crucial time for refuse and recycling in the borough. Over the festive period the amount we send to landfill rises by 20%, costing us more than £1million.’’

Most homes in the borough can recycle plastic and the council is extending this service to people in flats.

Artist Ashley Phillips added: “It’s been fantastic to work on this project and have such an important message involved. I hope that residents will enjoy this art installation and take the time to think about how much they recycle.”The public are invited to join festivities around the tree on Monday, 9 December. There will be stalls selling Christmas goods from 1-6pm, carols from the London College of Music Chorus from 4.30pm and other festive fun.

The tree has been constructed by plastic bottles recycled by Christ the Saviour primary school, and will be in place outside Ealing Town Hall from 2December until 5January.